Hand cutting tool



NOV. 19, 1968 R c zlMMERMAN ET AL 3,411,207

' HAND CUTTING TOOL Filed Nov. 25, 1966 INVEN'TaRs I RALPH C. Z/Mm-enw AflLP/v CHARLES Z/MMsR MAN 61 4. WM

rrteorlley United States Patent 3,411,207 HAND CUTTING TOOL Ralph C. Zimmerman and Ralph Charles Zimmerman, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignors to Zimmerman Packing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Nov. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 591,892 Claims. (Cl. 30-310) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The hand cutting tool of the present invention includes an elongated body member having downwardly of its upper surface a groove on the base of which is mounted a scale adapted to give direct readings as to the diameter of the disc, circle, gasket, ring, or the like that is being cut by the tool. The direct reading centering pin securing means includes a cooperating scale indicator which is disposed above the surface of the scale and wherefore continuous movement of the said scale indicator will not scratch or otherwise deface the said scale and thereby prolong the usefullness of the scale for the life of the tool.

Summary of the invention This invention relates to improvements in a hand actuated tool for cutting gaskets, rings, discs and the like from materials in sheet form which can be pierced by hand pressure.

The hand tool or cutter of the present invention is an improvement on that shown in applicants Patent No. 3,057,065 which issued on Oct. 9, 1962.

The improvements in the present invention pertains primarily to the means for setting or adjusting the pivot mechanism relative to the cutter for thereby materially simplifying the work of the user as well as obtaining more accuracy in the work.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a mechanism for accomplishing the proceeding object and in which the materials used and the design thereof permit the production of the tool at relatively small cost.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and it is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an assembled hand tool or cutter of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view transversely of FIG. 1 as seen from line 22 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse view through the cutter as seen from the same line but looking in the direction of the arrows 33.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the centering mechanism as viewed from line 44 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the cutting tool as seen from line 55 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the measuring scale employed with the cutter, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and forming a detail of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a block utilized in setting the pivot pin with respect to the cutter blade and forming a detail of the invention.

Throughout the several views of the drawings similar reference characters are employed to denote the same or similar parts.

3,41 1,2 07 Patented Nov. 19, 1968 The cutting tool of the present invention indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 includes a main or body portion 11 having a rear end 12 parallel sides 13 and 14 extending from the rear end 12 and joined at their forward end by a body head end 15. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4 the body member is provided with a longitudinal groove 16 for substantially the height and the length of the body 11. The head 15 has its forward face 17 at a slight transverse angle to the longitudinal center through the body and which angle is desired, since it acts to release strain on the cutter blade in that said angle simulates an are through which the cutter, presently to be made clear, passes while cutting flat material into rings, discs, circles, gaskets and the like. Butted against the face 17 of the body 11 is a clamp carrying block 18 having its face 19 angled transversely of the body 11 corresponding to that of the cutter body front face and said block face 19 is provided with an inclined groove 20. Disposed in the groove 20 is a clamping member or plate 21 of a length corresponding to the axial length and width of the said groove 20. The groove 20 is of such a depth as to accommodate not only the clamping member or plate 21 but also the thickness of a cutter blade 22.

The cutter blade 22 is, in the main, of a width substantially identical with the transverse width of the groove 20 with said cutting blade including a body portion 23 upwardly terminating in a handle portion 24. The body portion 23 throughout its length, on one side thereof, is provided with a keen edge 25. It should be noted that the keen edge 25 is against one of the sides of the groove 20, that side which breaks through the lower face of the cutter body 11 at substantially the longitudinal and transverse center of the cutter body.

The clamp carrying block or cutter head 18 is provided with a pair of counter-bores 26 receiving the head ends 27 of mounting screws 28 which thread into the cutter body forward end or head end 15, see FIG. 3.

The cutter body 11 is provided upwardly of its lower face 29 with a groove 30 of a width greater than the width of the vertical and longitudinal passageway 16 through the center of the said cutter body 11. Similarly the said cutter body is provided downwardly of its upper surface 31 with a groove 32, again, somewhat wider than the width of the body longitudinal-vertical passage 16.

Disposed in the bottom groove 30 is the head 33 of a post 34 centrally bored at 35 to receive the body portion 36 of a centering pin 37 illustrated in the drawing in operable position. Said centering pin 37 has its body portion 36 of a diameter equal, substantially, to the diameter of the post central bore 35. The centering pin 37 body portion has a reduced terminally pointed portion 38 extending therefrom to extend into a centering ferrule, or other aperture, for establishing a center on which the circular article to be cut is developed. Between the head 33 of the pin carrying post 34 and the base 39 of the bottom groove 30 is a relatively soft clamping washer 40; this washer is formed from hard asbestos or the like but is still softer than a washer of metal. It is to be understood that the washer 40, since it is relatively soft, will assist in clamping the pin carrier in any position of operation.

The top groove 32 is of a depth greater than the bottom groove 30 and the said groove 32 has resting on its bottom 41 a scale 42, illustrated in more detail in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 6 the said scale 42 is substantially rectangular in plan with its center removed to provide the scale with a pair of longitudinal sides 43 and 44, respectively, connected at their opposite ends with a front bar 45 and a rear bar 46. The said front bar and the said rear bar are of a dimension to substantially span the transverse dimension of the groove 32. The longitudinal sides 43 and 44 of the scale 42 are, respectively, relatively narrow when compared with the width of the groove 32 and wherefore the scale 42 is provided centrally thereof with an aperture 47, supra, which is of considerable width by comparison with the overall width of the scale 42, that is, its end bars 45 and 46. The pin carrier or post 34 extends upwardly of the passageway 16 of the body 11 to be above the upper surface thereof and therefore extends through and above the aperture 47 in the scale 42. Surrounding the upper end of said pin carrier or post 34 is a gauge block, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 48, illustrated in an upside down position in FIG. 7 for clearness in illustrating and description with the gauge block located in the main, above the upper surface of the said scale 42.

The scale or ruler 42 has the graduation of the inch and fractions of the inch 49 on one of the longitudinally extending sides, side 43, for example, the other longitudinal side 44 has the graduations 50 thereon for millimeters and fractions or divisions thereof. The forward or head cross-bar or connecting end has its outer edge 51 angled to the same degree of angle to the tool longitudinal axis as the contacting faces 17 and 19 of the body 11 and blade clam-ping carrying block 18. This construction puts the angled edge 51 of the scale or ruler in contact with the said inner face 19 of the clamp carrying block 18 and at the same time places said scale or ruler edges in the vertical plane of the face 17 of the angle of the head end of body 11.

It will therefore be noted that the graduation on the scale or ruler will be positive and accurate from the head end or blade clamping carrying block.

It should be noted, at this time, that the said scale or ruler is physically secured in place through adhesive on the underside of the scale or ruler longitudinal sides and connecting crossmembers or bars.

The gauge or indicating block 48, includes a central body portion 52 and lateral arms or wings 53 and 54. The block 52, and, at least, its lateral arms or wings 53 and 54, is formed of clear plastic and is utilized as a dimension indicator when employed with scale 42. As seen in FIG. 4 the lateral arms or wings 53 and 54 of the gauge or indicator block 48 is provided therebeneath with a space 55 which prevents the undersurface of said lateral arms or wings 53 and 54 from engaging the upper surfaces of the scale longitudinal sides or members 43 and 44 and thereby prevents friction wear on the scales 49 and 50. This arrangement is effected through the use of a relatively thickened square positioning lug 56 depending from the gauge block body portion a distance greater than the thickness of the aforementioned scale longi tudinal sides or members 43 and 44 and which indicator block 48 is provided with a circular counter-bore to provide a seat 57 receiving a washer 58 similar in all respects to the washer 40, supra. The washer 58 is disposed between the gauge block body portion 56 and a clamping nut 59.

Each of the arms or wings is further provided with an index mark that cooperates with the scales, said index marks being in the form of a line 53a and 54a respectively in the undersurface of the arms 53 and 54.

As noted above, the indicator block 48 has the upper surface of its body portion 52 in contact with the undersurface, the clamping washer 58, in turn in contact with the undersurface of the clamping nut 59 and which clamping nut is threadedly connected with the threaded upper end 60 of the pin carrying post 34.

As will be noted the pin carrying post head 33 is rectangular in plan and engages the sides of the bottom groove 30 to prevent any rotative movement of the centering pin post while being clamped or unclamped with respect to the scale 42. By the same token the indicator block 52, and particularly its depending positioning thickened lug 56, is rectangular in plan having a length substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the top groove 32 and the ends of which are adjacent the walls of the said top groove 32 and the thickened lug 56 against the inner surfaces of the scales longitudinal arms 43 and 44, whereby to be retained against rotation when the clamping nut is actuated for securing the parts to one another.

The cutting blade body 23, supra, is illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2 and the said blade may be adjustable downwardly of the undersurface of the cutter body 10 to a position as illustrated in phantom lines 61 in said FIG. 2 and then secured against any further axial movement during use.

As shown in FIG. 5 the cutting blade 22 is clamped by a clamp screw, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 62, threaded through the clamp carrying block 18 and having its inner end reduced as at 63 to have rotatably pinned thereon the clamping member or plate 21.

It is believed obvious that rotation of the clamp screw 62 in one direction will force the clamping member plate 21 against the blade for clamping same against the face of the head end 17 of the cutter body. By the same token, reverse rotation of the said clamp screw 62 will draw the clamping member or plate 21 from its operative clamping position to a position whereby adjustment of the cutter blade 22 may be effected or the said cutter blade may be replaced.

From the foregoing, it is believed obvious that the objects initially set forth have been accomplished.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cutting tool for cutting flat material into discs, circles, gaskets, rings, etc., the combination of a body member relatively elongated and having a flat lower surface for engaging the material being cut, said body member having a top surface, a groove into said body portion beneath its top surface and said groove including a base downwardly of the body member top surface, a direct reading scale disposed on the base of said groove, a cutter blade at one end of the body member beyond the end of the groove, a centering or pivot pin carried by the body member and within the groove adjustable toward and from the cutter blade, means supporting said centering pin for said adjustment on the base of the groove and securing said centering pin in adjustable positions with said securing means including a gauge block laterally of the scale, scale indicating means on said gauge block overlying and cooperating with the direct reading scale for determining the spacing of the centering pin from the cutter, and said gauge block scale indicating means being upwardly disposed with respect to the direct reading scale so that said gauge block scale indicating means is out of contact with the scale surface and yet cooperating therewith for accurate determination of the centering and pivot pin from the cutter blade.

2. In a cutting tool for cutting flat material into discs, circles, gaskets, rings, etc., as set forth in claim 1, characterized by, said upwardly spaced gauge block scale indicating means including a lateral arm on the gauge block upwardly of the scale surface to avoid contact therebetween, and said arm having thereon means cooperating with the scale in effecting a direct reading of the spacing of the centering or pivot pin from the cutter blade.

3. In a cutting tool for cutting flat material into discs, circles, gaskets, rings, etc., as set forth in claim 1, characterized by, said groove downwardly of the top surface being substantially rectangular in shape corresponding to the shape of the body member top surface, a scale rectangular in plan and substantially equal to the area of the top groove with said scale having a rectangular opening therethrough resulting in longitudinal arms substantially equal to the length of the groove and with said arms connected at opposite ends by transverse bars, said body member downwardly of its top groove base having an opening entirely therethrough and with said opening having a length substantially equal to the length of the scale central opening, said centering or pivot pin supporting means extending through said body opening into the top surface groove to be above the scale On the base of the groove, and said centering or pivot pin supporting means including means cooperating with the means for securing the said centering or pivot pin supporting means in operative positions with respect to the cutter blade.

4. In a cutting tool for cutting fiat material into discs, circles, gaskets, rings, etc., as set forth in claim 1, characterized by, said groove downwardly of the top surface being substantially rectangular in shape corresponding to the shape of the body member top surface, a scale rectangular in plan and substantially equal to the area f the top groove with said scale having a rectangular opening therethrough resulting in longitudinal arms substantially equal to the length of the groove and with said arms connected at opposite ends by transverse bars, said body member downwardly of its top groove base having an opening entirely therethrough and with said opening having a length substantially equal to the length of the scale central opening, said centering or pivot pin supporting means extending through said body opening into the top surface groove to be above the scale on the base of the groove, and said centering or pivot pin supporting means including means cooperating with the means for securing the said centering or pivot pin supporting means in operative positions with respect to the cutter blade, and said centering or pivot pin supporting means further including a block which overlaps the scale in efiecting the desired position of the said centering or pivot pin supporting means with respect to the cutting blade.

5. In a cutting tool for cutting flat material into discs, circles, gaskets, rings, etc., as set forth in claim 1, characterized by, said groove downwardly of the top surface being substantially rectangular in shape corresponding to the shape of the body member top surface, a scale rectangular in plan and substantially equal to the area of the top groove with said scale having a rectangular opening therethrough resulting in longitudinal arms substantially equal to the length of the groove and with said arms connected at opposite ends by transverse bars, said body member downwardly of its top groove base having an opening entirely therethrough and with said opening having a length substantially equal to the length of the scale central opening, said centering or pivot pin supporting means extending through said body opening into the top surface groove to be above the scale on the base of the groove, and said centering or pivot pin supporting means including means cooperating with the means f r securing the said centering or pivot pin supporting means in operative positions with respect to the cutter blade, and said centering or pivot pin supporting means further including a block which overlaps the scale in effecting the desired position of the said centering or pivot pin supporting means with respect to the cutting blade, said block including a wing which overlaps the scale, and means on and mounting said block and wing on the centering or pivot pin support to have the wing upwardly spaced with respect to the scale.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,778,423 1/1957 Zimmerman 30293 2,880,506 4/1959 Zimmerman 30-293 2,943,392 7/1960 Attridge 30 310 3,057,065 10/1962 Zimmerman 30-310 X 3,146,675 9/1964 Anderson 30'3-10 X 3,293,761 12/1966 Curry 3327 JAMES L. JONES, JR., Primary Examiner. 

